Washington, DC: In yet another stride towards easing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a groundbreaking call to China’s National Defense Minister, Admiral Dong Jun. This crucial conversation, lasting over an hour, marks the first extended discussion between Austin and any high-ranking Chinese military official since November 2022.
Thaw in Relations: Biden and Xi Set the Pace
The thaw in diplomatic relations between the two global superpowers began last November, when President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The meeting in San Francisco marked a pivotal moment in reducing escalating tensions and encouraging open dialogue.
Opening Military Communication Channels
Austin’s call with Admiral Dong is a significant step in improving communication between the US and China’s militaries. This military-to-military contact had been dormant since August 2022, when China suspended all communication following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taiwan.
Focus on Freedom of Navigation and Regional Stability
During the call, Secretary Austin highlighted the importance of continuous and transparent communication between both nations’ militaries. He emphasized the critical need to respect freedom of navigation in international waters, particularly in the South China Sea. Austin raised concerns about Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, North Korean provocations, and the imperative of maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Addressing Safety Concerns in the Pacific
Defense officials from both the US and China have raised concerns regarding unsafe and unprofessional incidents involving their militaries in the Pacific region, including intercepts of aircraft and confrontations in the South China Sea. Austin brought these matters to Admiral Dong’s attention, underscoring the urgency of addressing such risks.
A Path to Conflict Prevention
A senior defense official who previewed the call noted the US hasn’t observed any unsafe intercepts of American aircraft by China since November. However, China’s aggressive behavior toward the Philippines’ ships in the South China Sea poses a potential escalation risk. These calls and subsequent discussions aim to prevent ongoing competition from escalating into conflict.
Military Maritime Dialogue: A Step Forward
Earlier this month, representatives from the US and Chinese defense establishments gathered in Hawaii to discuss aggressive ship and aircraft incidents in the Pacific. The two-day China-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) meeting signifies a step forward in fostering cooperation and preventing confrontations between the nations’ militaries.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
